Cushioning mechanism



Jan. 15, 1935. D. s. BARROWS CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 4, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR zayaldafiarv qwzf BY I) 'a/ ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1935. D, BARROWS 1,988,427

CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed 001;. 4, 1933 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR v 2027a [d J flan/'0 w-S B Jan. 15, 1935. D, 3 BARRQWS 1,988,427

CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 4, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 J? r I 12? .1

' 33 33 Jf J T 11/ 2 a g i 7 3? v 7 I 52 i I I I I I i Yd 7 Q i0 k a l w INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 15,- 1935. D. s. BARROWS CUSHIONIENG MECHANISM Filed 001;. 4, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l a t 1 207 a anr awis' 0 4.29 BY 1 I Patented Jan.15,1935 ,1 9 4 at arts? are I Donald SnBarrows; Rochester, NY assignor to i Q -The Symington" ComDany,"NeWYork,N. Y a

corporation of'Mary land V I Application octobe'ni;19es;seria1No.-692,i8s

a-ol ims; (oi:i2 s 7); 1 g I This invention relatesto cushion-ingassembled withassociated draftrigging', portions anism and its arrangement with railway draft" of theasscciated 'cheek plates and backstp'beii-1'g rigging; whereby a greater shock abserbingz caf-i diagrammatically illustratedi 1 pacity and coupler movement may be provided "Figure" 2 is a fragmentary planet the media upon buffing movement of an associated drawnismshownin'Figure' L'portionsofthe sills andf 5 bar than upon-draft 'niovement thereof.

The principal object of my' invention, generally-' -illustrat'ed. e l s considered, is to provide cushioning mechanism Figure=3 is a transverse sctional view-on the comprising a pair of friction members each' '-1irreri3 +3-iof Figur-ei 1. I I r I t I 1O formed-with correspondinginclined fri-ction sup-1L Figure 4"isa partiaiside elevationali view and-"I10v faces, a pair of wedges-witl'r corresponding fricpartial vertical longitudinal sectional View of antion surfaces engaging each member, an eleother embodiment ofmyeushioni n'g mechanism. ment disposed between the wedges of the respec- --Eigure i5 is a" plan of'the mechanism shown tive members, and curved plate springs with in Figure" .41 I I 1 opposite end portions respectively-actingontthe Figuretisafpersp'ective:viewof the diamond 15:

wedges on opposite sides of the element to hold shaped. or frictionelement with laterally conthem in engagement with. the inclined surfaces verging "friction surfaces" shown detached from 0:- the friction members; the associated parts.

Another objector" my inventionisthe' provi- -Eigurei'7' is" a perspective fview of one of the sion of cushioning mechanism involving abody wedges shown separated fromt the associated 2o portion formed with "outwardly diverging surparts. i v faces at both ends, said b0dy"p0rti0n"'bei ngf :Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure-4, slottedto receive a stop'memb'erpassingthere; butishowing?anotherembo'dimentof my invenassociated cheek plates being diagrammatically through for holding'it against iorwar'dxmovetion:

ment, a follower at each end of said 'body p'or-t Figured? is: view corresponding to-Figurefi', 5

tion formed with corresponding outwardly dibut showingwonl'y 'o'nenhalf of a; modifiediorm; verging friction surfaces, wedges with corre- 0t my invention; v v spending friction surfaces engaging rtheifricti'on Eigurelilvis a planzoftthe gear shown iniFi'gsurfaces on the body portion andi-foil'owersga ure9'. a V 1 diamond-shaped element-at each end of the "Figuresr'll and 12 are views corresponding m mechanism disposed between the wedges .for the respectively, to' Figures--9=-and 10, but showing a body portion and those .for' the'followers with furtheriembodiment ofsmy invention; the engaged surfaces on the Wedges. incl in'ecl to Figure/13 i's'a view-"corresponding to Fignrei8-,.t correspond with the surfaces of the elementpand i but showing only s mewhat :more than half of curved plate springs associated said. diaastill further embodimentjofmy invention, i 351-; mend-shaped elements and with theine'nds' act- Figure i4 is a transverse sectional view on the ing'on the wedges at opposite sides iof s'aid line 14-44 ofFigur'e 13, t direction' el'en' ents, l l 1, 1 03f the arrows; V I

A further object of myiinventi'on is' the pro, Figure 15 'is-a :view corresponding to-Figure 13,1;

40 I vision of'cushioningmechanismsuchsasidescribed but; showing an additional embodiment of my" vr 1 in. the preceding paragraphs in whiehzrelease invention; j U springs may be'employed to increasethe' capacity: Figure 16 isaa transverse*section'alview on th'ej of the mechanism and make itunnedessary; to? 1 Figure 5';: 9 gainther direction have thevengaging surfaces between the wedgest-n oft the;arrow-s. I f; s

and the associated elementslat a selt-releasing? yFigure L'Ti-s a fragm n ry sectional view stir-@45 angle. 1 1 responding with Figure 1 5,"but showingra medi v Other objects and advantages of theiinvention' ;fi t I i g y relatingto the particular arrangement'and con- Referring to the 'drawings indetail, like parts struction of the various partswill become apbeing designated by-1i;ke-referencecharacters 5 'parentas the description proceeds. an first si er the embodiment'of'my111 501 Referring to the drawings illustrating my1in-- ven tian illustrated in Figures 1,.2- andl3 therefis vention.: p I shownan einbodimentofmyinvention compris- Figure 1 is apartial side elevationalview and; ing a doubIe ended series iri'ction draft g ear ortpartial vertical-- longitudinal sectional view; of cushioning -det ce 1 comprising; .a; main. friction-j one form of myroushioningrmechanism shownx 1provigled withanormally hori--.-

zontal slot 3 for receiving a draft key or other stop means 5 which extends through slots 6 in cheek plates 7 connected to associated draft sills 8, and holds the friction member 2 against movement under the'action of draft forces, while permitting rearward movement thereof under the action of bufiing forces. This is on account of the slots 6 being extended rearwardly of the normal position of the key 5; However, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to this use of the mechanism disclosed.

The double-ended or selective travel mechanism of the present embodiment further comprises two relatively short bell-mouthed endhousings or followers 9 provided with inclined friction surfaces 10 corresponding with the inclined friction surfaces 11 on the body or main friction member 2. In each mouth of the end mem-'- bers 9 and the oppositely opening mouths of the main or body member 2 are two wedges 12 which, inthe present embodiment, havefriction surfaces 13 corresponding with the friction surfaces 10 and 11, all of which surfaces are'made to av self-releasing or relatively large angle, thereby avoiding the necessity of coil or other direct release, springs. Y 7

Between the pairs of wedges 12 in the mouths of the main and end friction elements are disposed intermediate elements14, generally or approximately diamond-shaped in section, or pro,-

vided with outwardly converging inclined friction surfaces 15, the, engaged portions of the wedges 112 being correspondingly inclined, as indicated at 16. Each diamond shaped element 14 has a preferably rectangular longitudinally'extending aperture 17 in its middle, in which are received double group 'of typical curved plate springs placed back to back, as indicated at 18. The two wedges of each pair are expanded by engagement of the free ends of, the central double spring groups 18.

On account of the inclination of the friction surfaces 15. on the diamond-shaped elements 14, there is a dilferential action, and the wedges move ,into their associated housing portions distances greater than the corresponding movements of said portions with respect to said diamond shaped elements, the extra. wedge movements being caused by the angles of the diamond-shaped 1 elements 14. 'This angle, as shown, is'prefer'ably made so that the total supplemental wedge travel of the wedges on opposite sides of a given diamond-shaped member 14 is equal to the increase in projected length of the springs 18 when approximately flattened under full gear closure. It

is not necessary that the angleof the intermediate or diamond-shaped members should be thus chosen, as the primary purpose is to cause supple-- mental wedge travel and develop'more frictional work than could'be obtained if the travel were limited to that of the gear. However the incidental advantage of selecting the angle, as described, is valuable because it avoids gouging or chiselling of the wedges from relative movement of the ends of the springs with respect thereto. In order to avoid scoring and prevent sticking between the wedges and engaged friction surfaces, lead inserts 19 are desirably provided on the wedge surfaces and corresponding surfaces on the housing portions. The inner ends of the wedges are desirably formed with flanges or end pieces 20 which extend toward the longitudinal centerlineof the gear. In order to hold the parts of the mechanism assembled even when separated from 'the associated rigging, longitudinal apertures 21 are provided in the housing portions 2 and 9 and the diamond-shaped elements 14,

and corresponding notches or slots 22 are formed in the wedges 12 to receive longitudinally extending bolts, or other retaining means, 23 which limit longitudinal separation between the parts 2'7, to receive not only the key 26, but also the key 5. I

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen 'that under the action of draft forces, the main friction member 2 is held stationary by the key 5, and the coupler 24 pulls'the yoke 25 forwardly through the connecting key 26, moving the rear follower or housing member 9 and associated wedges 12 and diamond-shaped member rearwardly of the key 5, so that said wedges advance in the respective housing portions and effect straightening of the rear springs 18 and closure of the rear portion only of the mechanism, the forward portion being, uncompressed on account of the bodyor main housing portion2 being held stationary by the key 5. v

Under theaction of buffing forces, however, th

butt of the coupler 24 engages the front follower casing 9, pushing it and all of the wedges into their respective housing portions, straightening all of the curved plate springs, and effecting compression of the entire mechanism, the rear portion of the yoke and associated rear follower portion 9 being held stationary by abutment against a backstop 28. On account of this action under buff, not onlyis an increased energy absorbing capacity provided, but a coupler travel is permitted equal to the sum of the travels permitted by the movement of the-elements forwardly and rearwardly of the connecting key 5. Although for convenience and economy of manufacture the gear is desirably made symmetrical, about the central, transverse, plane 4, so that the travel and capacity provided by each end is substantially generally diamond-shaped in section and, as in the previous embodiment-having an aperture 1'7 extending longitudinally of the gear and receiving curved plate springs 18. As in the preceding embodiment, retaining means or bolts 23 are provided for holding the parts of the gear assembled.

It will, therefore, be seen that the gear of the present embodiment, as so'far described, corresponds'with half of the mechanism of the gear of the first embodiment. It may be converted intoa selective'trav'el gear like that of the first embodiment, but adapted for use with either horizontal selective travel yokes, as previously disclosed, or corresponding vertical yokes, by making the gear symmetrical about the transverse plane 4, that is, with the parts at the left of saidplane, as i viewed Figs; 4 and" 5-,. correspending-to those at the right.

In orderqto avoid the necessity-of arseparate slottedfront follower, the member 2: of the 5 gear 1 is extended longitudinally. andrprovided with a normally horizontal slot 3 and a normally vertical slot 29, the retaining means 23% being,

offset from the vertical :c entral plane, asiindicated most clearly in Figures '5, 6 and 7], in order: 10 to clear the slotted portions of-the member 2 while not unduly increasing the length of that member. Although I. have shown both slots'3 and 29, it-will be understood that only one slot is used at ;a time, and that a given gear may ;;be provided with only one or theother of said slots, orboth, as desired. If provided with both slots, a universal gear isformed which can be used with fourA. R. A. draft lugs, with the regular Farlow attachmentswithout a follower block, for example, in short overhang special cars, or

by correspondingly lengthening the backstop in carswith normal overhang, with the horizontal swiveling yoke in combination with regular cheek plates and A. R. -A. rear draft lugs, or with any standard vertical yokein combination with standard rear draft lugs and Farlow cheek plates. In

other words, by having the slots extend both ployed with a follower engaging'the housing portion 2 as illustrated. Inasmuch as there are no slots in either of the end members, the re- 45. taining bolts '23 which hold themembers 2 and 9 assembled with the wedges 12b, the central ordiamond-shaped member 14', and the springs 181 need not be offset from the longitudinal central plane. Referring now to theembodiment of my' invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, a construction 'is there disclosed, which corresponds generally with that of Figure 8, except thatthe hollow end portions or housing members 2 of the gear 1 receive resilient means3l comprising annular rubberelements '32 mounted on prefer-- ably steel disks 33, and each element separated from the adjacent element by a preferably steel plate34'. Intermediate followers 35 desirably en- 60, gage the rubber elements 31*nearest the wedges 12, which followers are engaged for compressing the rubber elements upon a predetermined movement of said wedges in compressing the associated springs 18which are received in a longitudinal aperture in the central or diamond-shaped member 14. It will, therefore, be seen that the rubber elements are only compressed upon a predetermined compression of the main springs of the mechanism. The intermediate followers 35 are 70.. desirably held by the same retaining bolts 23 as the other elements and allowed a predetermined limited movement by the clearances36.

Referring now to the embodiment of my in vention illustrated in Figures ll and l2, a con struction is there disclosed which corresponds with thatjofJEiguresQ'. and (10', except that a.= single rubbercushiont37, in each-'Jend'housing member Zinof the gear i is substituted for the series of rubber 'elements'ofa the preceding embodiment.

As-tin saidpreceding embodiment, the rubber cushions 37 are engaged only upon predetermined:

compressive movementi'of the gear, or. until the wedgesmdimove into engagement with said cush io'ns,..as1indicated inxdotedash lines. Except as specifically de'scribdinconnection with the present movement, the. sameniay COEIGSPOIldi-igfillfallywith that of the :preceding embodiment ,Referringimow 130761181 embodiment of my inventionillustrated in Figures 13 and 14,- a construction is :lthere; disclosed corresponding generally with that of Figurel8, except that the angle; of the-friction surfaces lO on the bellmouthedzhousing elements 2 of the gear 1 is smallenuorwhat might be termed non-releasing, asscomp-ared with the-angle of the friction surfaceslfl of thefirst embodiment. The angle of I the friction asurfaces,l3 ofthe wedges 12 is, of course,rlmade:to correspond and in order to make theigear so that it will release, interinediate followers. 38, only one of which is villustrated, are employed and are normally held in engagement .with the endsof the wedges 12 in thehousingportions 2 by resilient release means 39', which, inthe'present embodiment, are double helical or coil springs. The elements of the stacks of curved plate springs 18 received in thencentral or diamond-shaped friction element 14 are. each desirably formed with a nib or,

corrugation'40 at each end, pressed out or embossed :in the edgesthereof, causing said plates erally with'that'of' Figure 8, except that interchangeable end housing members 2 are used.

Referring now to thefembodim'ent of my invention illustrated'in Figures l5 and 16, a construction is there disclosedin which the housing r 47' of the gear l receives wedges 12. disposed onzopposite sides of'what might be referred to as an 'inverteddiamond-shaped' or central element 14 curved plate springs l8 acting between the walls. 48 of thehousing 4'7 and the wedges 12 the ends of said springs respectively engaging.

the wedges on opposite sides of the central member 14 which although shown as separately formed, inay ifndesired be cast integral with the housingites illustrated in Fig. 17. Central wedgestor wedge Spreaders 43 are employed, one between the pair of wedges at each end of the gear, said spreader wedgesf43 being preferably held from undesired withdrawal with respect to the gearby' a through bolt or other retaining device 23 for. acting on V the central.v wedges .43. openings. of; the housing .47 are desirably restricted, as indicated at 42, to provide for guiding the. centralor spreader'wedges 43, as" will be. understood, It will, therefore, be seenthat the gear of the present embodiment'might be called zthe inverted or wrong. side out form;

of the diamond gear disclosed :in. theprecedingi embodiments. The center plungersbeing guided in the restricted openings in theone-piece housing, avoid any tendency of the. wedges at one end of the gear to shift laterally 'withrespec't' is there disclosed which corresponds with that" of Figures 15 and 16, except. that the plungers or center wedges 435 are formed integral with, or have integral, follower portionsBO Land the central member 14 is shown integral with the housing 47 but may be separately formed as illustrated in Fig; ,15. 'The gear 1 may be otherwise identical with the gear 1.

From the foregoing description taken in con-' nection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I, have deviseda form ofcushioning mechanismwhich maybe double-ended, or single-ended, for giving a selective travel effect with a greater capacity upon compression in one direction thanin the other, or fort-utiliz 'ing the entire mechanism under both draft and buff. Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details shown, as modifications will undoubtedly occurto those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 1

' I claims-1 1. In railway draft rigging, in combination with sills providing a freely open, draft gear the. followers, the engaged surfaces on the wedges being inclined to correspond :with the surfaces of the elements, curved plate springs received in the apertures of said diamond-shaped elements and acting on the wedges on'opposite' sides of' each element, a yoke embracing said mechanism, a backstop adapted to engage the rear end of said yoke for limiting rearward movement-ofsaid mechanism, a coupler adapted to engage the forwardportion of said mechanism, and means connecting. said coupler andyoke.

2. Cushioning mechanism comprising a body portion formed with out'wardlydiverging friction surfaces at both ends, a follower at each end formed with corresponding outwardly diverging friction surfaces, wedges with corresponding frictionsurfaces engaging the friction surfaces on the body portion and followers, an element disposed between the wedges at each end 'of the gear formed with anfiaperture extending longitudinally of said gear and disposed between and frictionally engaging the wedges for'the body portion and those for the followers, the engaged surfaces on the wedges being inclined to correspond with the surfaces'of the elements, and curved plate springs received in the apertures of said' elements and acting on the wedges on opposite sides of each element. i

3. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with corresponding inclined friction surfaces extending toward one another, a pair of wedges with corresponding friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces of each memberjan element disposed between the wedges of the respective members, said element having inclined friction surfaces converginglaterally in both directions with respect to the longitudinal center line, said wedges having converging surfaces, and curved plate springs with opposite end portions respectively acting,

on the wedges on opposite sides of said element.

4. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with correspond-, ing inclined friction surfaces extending toward one another, a pair of wedges with corresponding friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces ofeach member, an element disposed between thewedges of the respective members, said element having inclined friction surfaces converging laterally'in both directions with respect to the longitudinal center line, said wedges having corresponding friction surfaces engaging said converging surfaces, said element being formed with an aperture extending longitudinally of the mechanism, curved plate springs received in said aperture and acting on the wedges on opposite sides of said element, and means for maintaining said members, wedges and element in assembled relation'.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with corresponding inclined friction surfaces extending toward one another, a pair of wedges with corresponding friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces of each member, an element disposed between the wedges of the respective members, said element having inclined friction surfaces converging laterally in both directions with respect to the longitudinal center line, said wedges having corresponding .friction surfaces engaging said converging surfaces,-curved plate springs with oppositeiend portions respectively acting on the wedges'on opposite sides of said element, and retaining means extending longitudinally and intersecting said friction members, element and wedges for holding the parts of the mechanism assembled with respect to one another.

6. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with corresponding inclined friction surfaces, a pair of wedges 'with corresponding friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces of each member, an element disposed between the wedges of the respective members, said element having inclined friction surfaces converging laterally in both dimension eitherhorizontal or vertical.

'7. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with corresponding' inclined friction surfaces, a pair of wedges with corresponding; friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces of each member, an element disposed between the wedges of the respective members, said element having friction surfaces extending generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal center line, said wedges having corresponding friction surfaces engaging said friction surfaces on said element, curved plate springs with end portions acting on the wedges on opposite sides of said element, and resilient means acting longitudinally on the outer end portions of said wedges for effecting release 0 the mechanism.

8. Cushioning mechanism comprising a pair of friction members each formed with corresponding inclined friction surfaces extending toward one another, a pair of wedges with corresponding friction surfaces engaging the friction surfaces of each member, an element disposed between the wedges of the respective members, said element having friction surfaces inclined with respect to one another laterally from the longitudinal axis of the mechanism in both directions, said wedges having friction surfaces correspondingly inclined and engaging said friction surfaces on the element, curved plate springs with opposite end portions respectively acting on the wedges on opposite sides of said element, and resilient rubber cushioning means in the outer end portions of said friction members and engaged by said wedges upon predetermined movement thereof for increasing the capacity of the mechanism and facilitating release.

9. Cushioning mechanism comprising housing means, two pairs of wedges disposed in said housing means, an element disposed between the pairs of wedges, said element having friction surfaces converging laterally in both directions with respect to the longitudinal center line, said wedges having corresponding friction surfaces engaging said converging surfaces, said wedges having additional friction surfaces laterally converging at a different angle than the first-mentioned friction surfaces, means at the ends of said housing means and acting on said last-mentioned converging friction surfaces, and curved plate springs with opposite end portions respectively acting on the wedges on opposite sides of said element. ,7 a

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

